Gathering for the Agricultural Initiative titled 'Farm for the Future'
At Shimpling Park Farm in Suffolk, the Welcome Meeting for the Farm for the Future (FftF) programme took place, marking the start of an initiative aimed at supporting livestock farmers in adopting sustainable farming practices. Despite limited information on the specific agenda of the meeting, the event focused on various aspects that are common in current farming support schemes.
The FftF programme is designed to promote sustainable farming practices that enhance productivity, resilience, and environmental outcomes. It emphasizes implementing innovations to boost farm efficiency and animal welfare, adopting environmentally friendly and climate-resilient farming methods, and supporting farmers in transitioning to sustainable livestock systems.
The benefits for livestock farmers include access to funding or technical support for adopting sustainable practices, opportunities for knowledge sharing, and improving farm profitability while safeguarding natural resources. Toby Tibbenham, a farmer in attendance, shared that his business planning began with a thorough appraisal of costs, ensuring the financial needs of every stakeholder were met.
The event provided a valuable networking opportunity, with participants exchanging ideas and experiences. The day included a farm walk, where visitors were shown herbal leys, discussions on fencing, the value of margins and hedgerows, and John's agroforestry area. A talk about the benefits of pasture-fed systems was also part of the programme, followed by a tasty lunch provided by the hosts, featuring Shimpling Park organic lamb.
Shimpling Park Farm, which has been organic for 25 years, currently runs a flock of New Zealand Romney sheep. The farm's shepherd, Jo, demonstrated the team effort involved in running the farm. Rebecca Mayhew explained the courses, research, and general knowledge sharing that this membership would bring, while Sarah Juggins chaired a discussion between Rebecca and John Pawsey about the two core focus points underpinning the FftF programme.
The discussion moved to the changes and opportunities offered by the Sustainable Farming Initiative (SFI) standards. A few hours spent looking at the SFI standards was considered time well spent, with debates about the eradication of sprays and fertilisers, the potential obsolescence of the plough, and controlling fly strike without conventional treatments.
Participants on the course are entitled to a year of free Pasture for Life membership, and East Anglian livestock farmers can still sign up for the Farm for the Future programme. John Pawsey advised listening to one's own gut reaction when introducing new ideas, and Rebecca Pawsey stressed the importance of thinking through every angle before taking the plunge. Andy King described how a public-facing income stream (pumpkin patch) led to another income stream (lambs born), changing lambing times, and adding value to the pumpkin patch.
In conclusion, the Welcome Meeting at Shimpling Park Farm marked the start of a promising initiative aimed at supporting livestock farmers in adopting sustainable farming practices. The event provided valuable insights into the benefits of sustainable farming, the importance of networking, and the practical steps farmers can take to future-proof their farms. For more precise details about the meeting, it may be best to consult the organizing body or Shimpling Park Farm’s event communications directly.
